mJSAQRESS,  >  SENATE.  C  Ex.  Doc, 

1st  Session.      \  )    No.  10. 


MESSAGE 


OF 


THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


COMMUNICATING, 


In  compliance  with  a  resolution  of  the  Senate,  the  correspondence  be- 
tween  the  Department  of  State  and  the  Minister  of  Bremen,  on  the 
subject  of  claims  for  losses  alleged  to  have  been  sustained  by  subjects 
of  the  Hanse  Towns  at  the  bombardment  of  Grey  town. 


JANUARY  4,  1858.— Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table  and  be  printed. 


To  the  Senate  of  the  United  States : 

Herewith  I  transmit  a  report  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  with  accom- 
panying documents,  in  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  the  Senate 
of  the  18th  instant. 

JAMES  BUCHANAN. 

WASHINGTON,  December  29,  1857. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 
Washington,  December  29,  1857. 

The  Secretary  of  State,  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  of  the 
Senate  of  the  18th  instant,  requesting  the  President,  "if  compatible 
with  the  public  interest,  to  communicate  to  the  Senate  copies  of  any 
correspondence  which  may  have  taken  place  between  the  Department 
of  State  and  the  Minister  of  Bremen  on  the  subject  of  claims  for  losses 
alleged  to  have  been  sustained  by  subjects  of  the  Hanse  Towns  at  the 
bombardment  of  Greytown,"  has  the  honor  to  lay  before  the  Presi- 
dent a  copy  of  the  documents  specified  in  the  accompanying  list. 
Kespectfully  submitted. 

LEWIS  CASS. 
The  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

\ 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GEEYTOWN. 


List  of  Documents  accompanying  the  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State  to 
the  President,  of  December  29,  1857. 

Mr.  Schleiden  to  Mr.  Marcy,  with  accompaniments,  November  6, 
1855. 

Mr.  Marcy  to  Mr.  Schleiden,  November  19,  1855. 

Mr.  Schleiden  to  Mr.  Marcy,  with  accompaniments,  November  23, 
1855. 

Mr.  Marcy  to  Mr.  Schleiden,  November  24,  1855. 

Mr.  Schleiden  to  Mr.  Marcy,  with  accompaniments,  January  28, 
1856. 


Mr.  Schleiden  to  Mr.  Marcy. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  November  6,  1855. 

The  undersigned,  minister  resident  of  the  Hanseatic  republic  of 
Bremen,  begs  leave  to  submit  to  the  honorable  Secretary  of  State  the 
accompanying  documents  in  regard  to  claims  of  Bremen  citizens  for 
indemnity  for  losses  sustained  by  them  at  San  Juan  del  Norte  (Grey- 
town)  on  the  occasion  of  that  town  being  destroyed  by  Commander 
Hollins,  of  the  United  States  sloop-of-war  Cyane,  in  July,  1854. 

The  undersigned  will  not  trust  himself  with  any  remark  on  the  pe- 
culiar features  of  those  proceedings,  in  consequence  of  which  the  pro- 
perty in  question  has  been  destroyed.  The  American  press  itself  has 
commented  upon  them  in  terms  more  severe  than  the  undersigned 
would  wish  to  repeat.  He  will  strictly  confine  himself  within  the 
limits  of  those  considerations,  which,  in  an  international  point  of 
view,  are  conclusive  in  favor  of  the  justice  and  equity  of  the  claims 
which  he  has  received  orders  to  present  and  support. 

If  ever  confidence  was  warranted  by  the  most  unequivocal  and  ex- 
plicit public  acts,  it  was  in  the  case  of  San  Juan  de  Nicaragua,  (Grey- 
town,)  when  it  was  placed  in  a  peculiar  manner  under  the  protection 
of  the  law  of  nations,  which,  in  fact,  conferred  to  property  of  every 
description  all  that  security  to  which  it  would  be  entitled  when  in- 
trusted to  a  "  neutral  bottom." 

It  is  impossible  to  read  the  treaty  of  April  19,  1850,  (commonly 
called  the  Clayton-Bulwer  treaty,)  without  arriving  at  the  con- 
clusion that  it  was  the  true  intention  of  the  contracting  parties  to 
invest  the  interoceanic  communication,  to  all  intents  and  purposes, 
with  a  neutral  character.  This  neutrality  is  expressly  adapted  to 
the  eventuality  of  a  war  between  the  contracting  parties  them- 
selves ;  it  is  not  limited  to  the  line  of  the  projected  communication 
and  its  extremities,  the  termini,  as  it  were,  of  that  line,  (the  establish- 
ments of  San  Juan  del  Norte  on  the  Atlantic,  and  of  San  Juan  del 
Sur  on  the  Pacific;)  but  it  is  extended  to  a  distance  (which  has  since 
been  more  precisely  defined  in  the  treaty  of  April  30,  1852)  from  the 
coast  of  either  ocean.  The  security  and  neutrality  of  the  transit  is 
guarantied  for  general  benefit  to  all  mankind,  all  sharing  the  same 
terms  and  enjoying  the  same  protection.  The  mediation  of  two  of 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 

the  most  powerful  governments  of  the  world  is  held  out  for  adjusting 
all  differences  between  the  adjacent  States,  in  order  to  remove  any 
cause  of  disturbance  incompatible  with  the  character  of  neutrality. 
It  was  not  the  meaning  that  the  maintenance  of  this  character  of  neu- 
trality should  be  made  dependent  upon  the  concurrence  of  the  neigh- 
boring States,  inasmuch  as  the  treaty  of  April  30,  1852,  declares  the 
intention  of  the  contracting  parties,  even  in  case  of  the  non-accession 
of  Nicaragua  and  Costa  Rica,  to  take  measures  for  attaining  the  pur- 
poses avowed  in  the  treaty  of  April  19,  1850.     It  has  been  well  ob- 
served, that  the  establishments  connected  with  the  projected  inter- 
oceanic  communication  were,   in  the  liberal  spirit    of  the  treaties, 
endowed  with  a  character  and  privileges  not  altogether  dissimilar  to 
those  which,  from  motives  of  general  utility,  have  long  been  recog- 
nized, by  the   common   consent   of  mankind,  as   belonging   to   the 
Hanseatic  republics  of  Germany.  As  to  the  position  of  San  Juan  de  Nica- 
ragua, in  particular,  it  is  true  that  the  United  States  government  never 
recognized  the  sovereignty  of  a  king  of  Mosquito,  nor  the  protectorate 
of  Great  Britain  over  that  locality.     The  late  Secretary  of  State,  the 
honorable  Daniel  Webster,  declared,  however,  in  a  letter  directed  on 
the  13th  of  March,  1852,  to  Commodore  Foxhall  A.  Parker,  that  "a 
temporary  recognition  of  the  existing  authority  of  the  place,  (San 
Juan  de  Nicaragua,  or  Greytown,)  sufficient  to  countenance  any  well- 
intended  endeavors  on  its  part  to  preserve  the  public  peace  and  punish 
wrong-doers,  would  not  be  inconsistent  with  the  policy  and  honor  of 
the  United  States;"  and  he  accordingly  directed  the  commodore,  in 
the  name  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  "  to  repair  to  Grey- 
town,  and,  in  conjunction  with  her  Britannic  Majesty's  admiral  on  the 
West  India  station,  to  see  that  all  reasonable  municipal  and  other 
regulations  in  force  there  were  respected  by  the  vessels  and  citizens 
of  the  United  States  resorting  thither. "     And  the  same  distinguished 
American  statesman  learning  that,  in  an  assemblage  of  persons  styling 
themselves  citizens  of  San  Juan  de  Nicaragua,  or  Greytown,  held 
there  on  the  28th  of  February,  1852,  resolutions  had  been  passed  to 
send  a  deputation  to  the  capital  of  the  republic  of  Nicaragua  for  the 
purpose  of  soliciting  a  charter  for  San  Juan,  requested,  on  the  18th 
of  March  following,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  the  Hon.  Wm.  A. 
Graham,  to  give  to  the  American  citizens,  believed  to  have  formed  a 
majority  of  the  said  assemblage,  timely  warning  "  that  they  would  not 
be  countenanced  by  his  government  in  any  attempt,  forcibly,  or  other- 
wise, to  subvert  the  acting  authorities."     Subsequently,  after  the 
election  of  new  municipal  authorities  at  San  Juan,  in  conformity  with 
a  constitution  adopted  thereon  the  29th  of  March,  1852,  and  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain, 
signed  on  the  30th  of  April  of  the  same  year,  Lord  Clarendon  states, 
in  a  despatch  to  the  British  minister  at  Washington,  dated  July  22, 
1853,  that  both  the  British  and  American  governments  had  ordered 
their  naval  commanders  in  Central  America  to  support  the  govern- 
ment de  facto  of  San  Juan  ;  and  the  Hon.  Wm.  L.  Marcy  himself,  in 
a  despatch  to  Mr.  Ingersoll,  the  American  minister  at  London,  dated 
June  9,  1853,  referring  to  the  said  joint   order,   says   that  its  pur- 
pose was  to  preserve  the  public  peace  at  San  Juan,  and  to  punish 


4  BOMBAEDMENT    OF    GREY  TOWN. 

wrong-doers.  In  consequence  thereof,  there  was  an  United  States 
commercial  agent  resident  at  San  Juan,  and  the  Hanse  Towns,  like 
England  and  France,  maintained  there  a  consul  for  the  protection  of 
their  citizens  and  subjects  engaged  in  the  commerce  of  Central 
America. 

It  is,  however,  not  essential  to  insist  on  the  neutral  character  vouch- 
safed by  the  treaties  of  1850  and  1852,  and  supported  by  the  quoted 
facts.  If,  in  the  meantime,  circumstances  have  occurred  by  which  the 
government  of  the  United  States  has  considered  itself  justified  to  treat 
San  Juan  de  Nicaragua  (Greytown)  as  a  hostile  city,  it  is  not  for  the 
undersigned  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  those  unfortunate  circum- 
stances, nor  to  balance  the  degree  of  offence  given  by  the  municipal 
authorities  and  the  severity  of  the  consequent  infliction.  But  if  San 
Juan  del  Norte  was  to  be  considered  as  a  hostile  city,  and  to  be  treated 
as  such,  the  undersigned  cannot  be  debarred  from  invoking  an  unalter- 
able maxim  of  international  law,  which  has  been  maintained  in  unin- 
terrupted succession  from  the  father  of  the  modern  law  of  nations 
down  to  Hautefeuille,  one  of  the  most  recent  text  writers  on  the  sub- 
ject of  neutrality.  It  is  the  maxim  of  Grotius  :  "  quae  res  apud  hostes 
quidem  sunt,  sed  quarum  domini  nee  hostium  sunt  subditi,  nee  hostilis 
animi,  ex  bello  acquiri  non  possunt,"  or,  in  the  simple  and  expressive 
language  of  Chancellor  Kent,  "war  gives  no  right  to  capture  the 
goods  of  a  friend."  From  this  maxim  it  is  a  sell-evident  deduction 
that,  upon  the  capture  of  San  Juan,  the  property  of  unoffending  resi- 
dents, subjects  or  citizens  of  a  neutral  or  friendly  State,  could  not 
have  been  involved  in  a  sweeping  measure  of  retribution — that  it  could 
not  have  been  amenable  to  capture  or  destruction.  Upon  the  strength 
of  the  same  maxim  a  well  known  principle  has  been  established,  which 
has  also  been  embodied  in  several  treaties  of  the  United  States,  (treaty 
with  Great  Britain,  1794,  Art.  XVIII ;  treaty  with  Spain,  1795,  Art. 
XVI,)  to  wit :  that  vessels  or  goods  that  may  have  entered  into  a  port 
or  place  before  the  same  was  besieged  or  invested,  and  be  found  therein 
after  the  reduction  or  surrender  of  the  same,  shall  not  be  liable  to 
confiscation,  but  shall  be  restored  to  the  proprietors.  Indeed,  there  is 
no  country  on  the  face  of  the  earth  in  which  the  adherence  to  the 
above  principle  has  been  more  decidedly  expressed,  and  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  which  the  undersigned  would  more  confidently  appeal, 
than  the  United  States.  The  courts  of  the  United  States,  to  their  in- 
finite credit  be  it  said,  have  been  the  first  to  deduce  from  that  prin- 
ciple a  liberal  and  beneficent  corollary.  The  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  has  given  it  as  its  decided  opinion  that  the  exemption 
of  neutral  property  from  capture  has  no  other  exceptions  than  those 
arising  from  the  carrying  of  contraband  goods,  breach  of  blockade, 
and  other  analogous  causes,  where  the  conduct  of  the  neutral  gives  to 
the  belligerent  a  right  to  treat  his  property  as  enemy's  property  ;  that 
the  belligerent  flag  does  not  communicate  a  hostile  character  to  neu- 
tral property  ;  and  that  even  though  another  State  might  confiscate  in 
such  a  case,  the  court  was  bound  by  the  general  law  of  nations  until 
the  American  legislation  should  determine  to  retaliate. — ( The  Nereide, 
9  Crancli,  388.) 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 


Nay,  more  ;  had  San  Juan  been  a  fortress,  armed  to  the  teeth,  in- 
stead of  being  an  open  and  a  defenceless  place  ;  had  it  fallen  after  a  des- 
perate resistance,  the  undersigned  would  still,  with  no  less  confidence, 
entrench  himself  within  the  principle  proclaimed  by  the  same  authori- 
tative tribunal  in  the  same  memorable  case.  It  is  well  known  that 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  carried  the  principle  of  immu- 
nity of  neutral  property  on  board  an  enemy's  vessel  to  the  extent  of 
allowing  it  to  be  laden  on  board  an  armed  belligerent  cruiser,  and  it 
was  held  that  the  goods  did  not  lose  their  neutral  character,  not  even 
in  consequence  of  resistance  made  by  the  armed  vessel,  provided  the 
neutral  did  not  aid  in  such  armament  or  resistance,  notwithstanding 
he  had  chartered  the  whole  vessel  and  was  on  board  at  the  time  of  the 
resistance.  ^  Well  might  Chancellor  Kent  describe  it  as  a  proceeding 
the  most  liberal  and  honorable  tc  the  jurisprudence  of  his  country, 
when,  in  spite  of  a  decision  of  an  opposite  character  by  the  English 
Court  of  Admiralty,  the  above  principle  was  maintained  by  the'  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States  in  a  similar  case.— (The  Atalanta,  3 
Wheaton,  408.) 

So  far  as  the  probable  presumption  of  &u  animus hostilis  (the  only  point 
at  issue)  is  concerned,  the  undersigned  need  not  advert  to  the  immense 
difference  between  putting  goods  on  board  an  armed  belligerent 
cruiser  and  a  residence  for  commercial  purposes  in  a  place  of  which 
nothing  could  have  been  more  contrary  to  all  reasonable  expectation 
than  that  it  should  on  any  occasion  come  to  be  treated  as  a  hostile 
city  by  the^government  of  the  United  States. 

These  principles,  thus  solemnly  avowed,  will,  by  powerful  and  con- 
clusive implication,  warrant  the  undersigned  in  his  confident  appeal 
to  the  justice  of  the  government  of  the  United  States  in  behalf  of  his 
fellow-citizens  of  the  Hanseatic  republic  of  Bremen  who  have  been 
sufferers  by  the  destruction  of  San  Juan  de  Nicaragua  (Grey town). 
The  facts  as  laid  down  in,  and  proved  by,  the  accompanying  docu- 
ments, show  that  those  principles  are  in  all  and  every  point  applicable 
to  the  claims  in  question,  and  they  will,  no  doubt,  be  confirmed  by 
the  reports  of  the  United  States  minister  in  Central  America,  as  well 
as  by  the  late  and  the  present  United  States  commercial  agent  at  San 
Juan^and^such  officers  of  the  Nicaragua  Transit  Company,  whose  de- 
clarations^in  regard  to  this  matter  may  be  honored  with  the  confidence 
of  the  United  States  government.  The  undersigned  would  only  beg 
leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the  honorable  Secretary  of  State  to  a  few 
of  these  facts,  and  especially  to  the  circumstance  that  the  property, 
for  the  loss  of  which  the  claimants  expect  indemnity,  was  not  destroyed 
by  the  bombardment  of  the  town  'from  on  board  the  United  States 
sloop-of-war  Cyane,  but  by  the  subsequent  burning  down  of  the  houses 
and  stores  of  the  claimants  by  a  party  of  marines  sent  on  shore  by 
Commander  Hollins  when  he  had  not  succeeded  in  setting  the  town 
on  fire  by  shells.  Even  the  Hamburg  flag,  displayed  on  the  house  of 
the  Hanseatic  consul,  Mr.  H.  Wiedemann,  was  "not  respected,  and  the 
house  with  the  flag  was  burned  down,  though  the  then  United  States 
commercial  agent,  Mr.  Fabens,  had  assured  Mr.  George  Wiedemann, 
acting  consul  of  the  free  Hanse  Towns,  during  a  temporary  absence  of 
his  brother,  consul  Henry  Wiedemann,  that  he  had  taken  measures  to 


6  BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 

preserve  the  consulate.  The  undersigned  begs  leave  to  state,  further, 
that  neither  of  the  claimants  has  ever  taken  any  part  in  the  politics  and 
disorders  of  the  place.  Mr.  Frederick  Liipking,  claiming  indemnity  for 
several  houses  and  for  merchandise  destroyed,  together  to  the  amount  of 
$12,222  59,  has  even  never  personally  been  in  Central  America,  but 
was  represented  there  by  the  highly  respectable  commercial  house  of 
Wassaman  &  Co.,  in  Granada,  (Nicaragua,)  and  their  agent  at 
Greytown,  Mr.  A.  Knipping,  who  have  both  furnished  the  undersigned 
with  statements  which  he  has  the  honor  to  enclose.  The  other  claim- 
ant, Mr.  Henry  Wiedemann,  consul  of  the  Hanseatic  republics,  and 
partner  of  the  well  known  firm  of  Wiedemann  &  Beschor,  who  claims 
indemnity  for  losses  to  the  amount  of  $35,140,  has  resided  for  several 
years  in  San  Juan  and  in  Granada,  (Nicaragua,)  respectively,  and 
gained  general  confidence  and  respect  wherever  he  was  known.  He 
happened  to  be  on  board  the  steamer  "  H.  L.  Routh,"  together  with 
the  American  minister,  honorable  S.  Borland,  in  May,  1854,  on  the 
occasion  of  the  fatal  occurrence  between  Captain  Smith,  of  said 
steamer,  and  the  native  owner  of  a  Nicaraguan  bungo,  which  subse- 
quently led  to  the  shameful  affront  offered  at  San  Juan  (Greytown) 
to  the  dignity  of  the  American  minister,  and  to  the  severe  punishment 
of  that  unfortunate  city  by  Commander  Hollins.  Mr.  Wiedemann,  on 
that  occasion,  endeavored  in  vain  to  prevent  Captain  Smith  from 
shooting  the  poor  native,  and  offered  afterwards,  as  soon  as  he  learned 
the  insult  given  to  the  honorable  S.  Borland,  a  reward  of  $50  for  the 
capture  of  the  villain  who  had  committed  the  deed  ;  and  Mr.  Wass- 
mann,  the  agent  of  the  other  claimant,  Mr.  Frederick  Lupking,  joined 
Mr.  Wiedemann  in  this  effort,  by  doubling  the  offered  reward.  These 
facts  prove  the  sincere  desire  of  the  claimants  to  maintain  peace  and 
good  order  in  the  community  where,  under  the  protection  of  neutral- 
ity, they  carried  on  their  business,  and  which  subsequently  has  been 
so  much  abused,  as  being  a  resort  of  pirates  and  robbers. 

The  undersigned  has  to  add,  that  the  amount  of  damages,  as  stated 
above,  and  to  the  correctness  of  which  both  claimants  are  ready  to 
make  oath,  does  not  include  the  great  indirect  losses  sustained  by  the 
claimants  in  consequence  of  the  derangement  in  their  business  caused 
by  the  destruction  of  San  Juan,  the  extra  pay  for  their  clerks  and 
other  employes  during  that  time,  loss  of  interest  on  investments,  &c. 
He  is  confident  that  the  sense  of  justice  and  equity  which  at  all  times 
has  animated  the  United  States  government  will  secure  to  his  fellow- 
citizens  who  have  suffered  so  much  full  indemnity  also  for  these  their 
indirect  losses. 

If,  however,  contrary  to  expectation,  the  United  States  government 
should  hesitate  to  recognize  the  justice  of  the  claims  here  presented 
and  their  obligation  to  pay  the  asked  for  indemnity,  the  undersigned 
would,  in  the  name  of  his  government,  suggest  the  propriety  of 
having  this  matter  submitted  to  the  arbitration  of  a  foreign  govern- 
ment not  interested  in  the  same  in  behalf  of  their  own  subjects,  or  of 
commissioners  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  governments  of 
Bremen  and  the  United  States. 

The  undersigned  would  feel  under  obligations  for  an  early  con- 
sideration of  this  note,  and  he  avails  himself  of  this  occasion  to  offer 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN.  7 

to  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  State  the  renewed  assurance  of  his  highest 
regard. 

R.  SCHLEIDEN. 
Hon.  W.  L.  MARCY, 

Secretary  of  State ,  Washington,  D.  C. 


List  of  documents  in  regard  to  claims  of  Bremen  citizens  for  indemnity 
for  losses  sustained  "by  them  at  San  Juan  del  Norte,  (Greytown,)  on 
the  occasion  of  that  town  being  destroyed  by  Commander  Hollins 
of  the  United  States  sloop-of-war  Cyane,  in  July,  1854,  accompany- 
ing the  note  of  the  Bremen  minister  near  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  to  the  honorable  Secretary  of  State,  dated  Washing- 
ton, District  of  Columbia,  the  6th  November,,  1855. 

I.  Letter  of  Mr.  Henry  Wiedemann,  consul  of  the  Hanseatic  repub- 
lics at  San  Juan  del  Norte,  (Greytown,)  to  the  Bremen  minister  at 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  dated  January  20,  1855,  enclosing  : 

1.  Certificate  of  the  Nicaraguan  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  dated 
Granada,  December  27,  1854. 

2.  Letter  of  the  United  States  commercial  agent  at  San  Juan  del 
Norte,  Mr.  J.  W.  Fabens,  to  Mr.  George  Wiedemann,  acting  Hanse- 
atic  consul  at  San  Juan,  dated  July  12,  1854. 

3.  Certificate  of  James  Giddes  and  others,  at  San  Juan  del  Norte, 
dated  January  19,  1855. 

4.  Statement  of  losses  incurred  by  Messrs.  Wiedemann  &  Beschor 
by  the  destruction  of  San  Juan  del  Norte,  dated  January  1,  1855. 

II.  Letter  of  Mr.  Consul  H.  Wiedemann  at  San  Juan  del  Norte,  to 
the   Bremen  minister  at  Washington,   District  of  Columbia,   dated 
Greytown,  January  20,  1855. 

III.  Letter  of  the  same  to  the  same,  dated  New  York,  February  13, 
1855. 

IV.  Statement  of  loss  of  property,  &c.,  sustained  by  Mr.  Frederick 
Liipking,  a  Bremen  citizen,  through  the  destruction  of  San  Juan  del 
Norte,  dated  San  Juan,  December  20,  1854. 

Y.  Letter  of  Messrs.  Wassmann  &  Co.,  at  Granada,  (Nicaragua,) 
to  the  Bremen  minister  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  dated 
April  17,  1855. 

VI.  Letter  of  Mr.  Aug.  Knipping,  at  San  Juan  del  Norte^  (Grey- 
town,)  to  the  Bremen  minister  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  dated  May  21, 
1855. 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 


[Translation.] 

Consulate  of  the  free  and  Hanseatic  cities  of  Hamburg  and  Bremen,  at 
Greytoivn,  or  San  Juan  del  Norte. 

GREYTOWN,  OR  SAN  JUAN  DEL  NORTE, 

January  20,  1855. 

Your  excellency's  intercession  is  solicited  by  the  undersigned  in  be- 
half of  a  claim  for  damages  sustained  by  him  as  partner  of  the 
firms  of  Wiedemann  &  Beschor,  at  Leipzig,  Granada,  and  San  Juan, 
in  consequence  of  the  bombardment  and  burning  down  of  the  last 
named  place,  on  the  13th  of  July,  1854,  by  the  United  States  ship- 
of-war  Cyane,  Commander  Hollins. 

I  beg  leave,  first,  to  recur  to  certain  facts  which  occurred  some 
months  prior  to  that  date,  and  which  will  convince  your  excellency 
that  the  losses  sustained  by  me  are  the  more  deplorable,  insomuch  as 
I  have  not  taken  the  least  part  in  any  act  which  could  have  induced 
the  United  States  to  proceed,  in  so  summary  a  manner,  against  Grey- 
town.  Your  excellency  is  also  well  aware  that  this  could  not  be  com- 
patible with  my  position  as  consul  of  the  Hanse  Towns  of  Bremen  and 
Hamburg. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  1854,  when  the  United  States  minister 
for  Central  America,  Mr.  Borland,  was  leaving  this  country,  I  found 
myself  in  his  company  on  board  of  one  of  the  San  Juan  river  steamers. 
As  far  as  I  can  recollect,  nothing  particular  occurred  during  the  pass- 
age down,  till  within  six  or  nine  miles  from  San  Juan  del  Norte  ; 
here  the  following  incident  took  place  : 

Captain  Smith,  of  the  steamer  "  Kouth,"  in  turning  a  bend  of  the 
river,  as  I  think,  ran  against  a  bun  go  freighted  with  merchandise 
which  was  lying  near  the  shore,  and  damaged  her  by  the  collision, 
whether  designedly  or  otherwise  I  am.  unable  to  say.  The  patron  or 
master  of  the  bun  go  thereupon  commenced  to  abuse  Captain  Smith 
in  Spanish,  to  which  the  latter  retorted  fully  in  English.  After 
a  little  while  the  steamer,  which  had  become  entangled  in  some 
brushwood,  got  clear  again  and  proceeded  on  her  passage.  At 
the  time  of  leaving,  the  said  patron,  whose  name  was  Albino  Paladino, 
had  an  ordinary  fowling  piece  in  his  hands,  but  not  pointed  as  if  for 
use.  After  the  steamer  had  separated  a  short  distance  from  the  bungo, 
the  former  was  turned  round  again  up  stream,  towards  the  latter 
craft,  after  two  ineffectual  attempts,  frustrated  by  the  strong  current. 
During  the  interval  Captain  Smith  had  fetched  his  rifle  from  the 
cabin,  and  repeatedly  vociferated,  "  I  must  shoot  the  fellow  ;  he  has- 
used  threatening  language  that  shall  cost  him  his  life  ;"  and  other 
expressions  of  that  nature,  which  had  better  be  passed  in  silence.  The 
boat  was  now  going  under  full  steam  toward  the  bungo.  (Said  Pal- 
adino arose  from  his  place  near  the  rudder,  carrying  the  fowling  piece 
still  in  his  hand,  and  appeared  in  the  act  of  stepping  on  shore  over 
the  rowing  benches  ;  the  gun  was  not  carried  in  a  menacing  position; 
when  he  reached  the  second  or  third  rowing  bench  he  was  shot  down 
by  Captain  Smith  from  the  upper  deck  of  the  steamer,  and  the  latter 
then  proceeded  on  her  passage  down  the  river.  Mr.  Borland  wit- 


Hk 

BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN.  9 

• 

nessed,  if  not  the  beginning,  yet  the  greater  part  of  this  last  act,  from 
the  upper  deck,  and,  during  the  whole  time,  I  have  not  heard  him 
make  any  remarks  in  relation  to  it.  So  much  on  this  subject. 

The  same  evening  I  learned,  while  at  home,  that  a  bottle  had  been 
thrown  by  an  unknown  hand  against  the  person  of  the  said  minister 
in  the  house  of  the  United  States  commercial  agent,  Mr.  Fabens. 
Several  respectable  gentlemen  present,  including  Messrs.  Wassmann, 
Sigand,  and  others,  joined  by  myself,  took  pains  to  ferret  out  the  per- 
petrator, and  each  of  us  promised  to  contribute  fifty  dollars  towards  a 
reward  for  his  detection  and  apprehension,  but  our  exertions  proved 
unsuccessful. 

Fearing  that  evil  consequences  might  result  to  the  inhabitants 
of  San  Juan  by  this  act  of  rudeness,  I  took  the  liberty  of  calling 
towards  ten  o'clock  at  night  on  Mr.  Borland,  to  see  whether  the  affair 
could  not  be  adjusted.  To  my  proposition  whether  he  would  be  satis- 
fied with  an  address  signed  by  all  the  respectable  inhabitants  of  the 
place,  expressing  their  indignation  at  the  insult,  I  received  the  reply, 
"  It  is  not  I  who  has  been  insulted,  but  the  government  of  the  United 
States  in  my  person,"  which  naturally  cut  off  all  further  endeavors  to 
redress  the  matter. 

My  business  at  Granada  (Nicaragua)  required  my  immediate  pres- 
ence, and  thus  I  left  Grey  town  by  the  end  of  May.  Once  arrived 
at  Granada,  the  revolution  which  had  commenced  there  on  the  26th  of 
May  cut  off  all  communication  with  San  Juan,  even  by  letter,  till  the 
end  of  December  last.  I  subjoin  a  certificate,  (No.  1,)  signed  by  the 
minister  of  the  government  at  Granada,  in  justification  of  the  delay 
in  making  my  claim  for  damages. 

I  had  left  my  brother  at  San  Juan  in  charge  of  my  business,  and 
also  of  the  consulates,  so  that  he  was  authorized  to  represent  me  on 
all  occasions. 

On  the  12 tli  of  July,  1854,  my  brother,  J.  George  Wiedemann, 
received  the  accompanying  letter  from  the  United  States  commercial 
agent,  Mr.  Fabens,  (No.  *2,)  giving  him  notice  that  San  Juan  del 
Norte  would  be  bombarded  the  following  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  by 
the  United  States  sloop-of-war  Cyane. 

Mr.  G.  Wiedemann  repaired  immediately  to  Mr.  J.  W.  Fabens,  and 
inquired  whether  ourselves  and  the  consulates  of  the  Hanse  Towns, 
Hamburg,  and  Bremen  would  be  included  in  the  bombardment, 
whereupon  the  latter  gave  him  the  assurance — unfortunately  only  ver- 
bally— that  measures  had  been  taken  already  to  exempt  them. 

My  brother,  in  virtue  of  the  authority  given  to  him,  hoisted  now 
the  flag  of  the  free  city  of  Hamburg,  left  all  goods  and  furniture  un- 
touched, and  packed  only  the  books,  letters,  and  other  valuable  papers, 
gold  and  silver  plates,  in  five  trunks,  designing  to  convey  the  same 
on  board  of  the  English  man-of-war  " Bermuda,"  Lieutenant  Jolley, 
and  to  repair  there  also  with  his  wife  during  the  bombardment. 

At  break  of  day  on  the  13th  of  July,  1854,  the  clay  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  Grey  town,  a  boat  of  the  Bermuda  came  on  shore  with  a  mes- 
sage, that  all  persons  Avishing  to  repair  on  board  the  man-of-war 
must  leave  immediately,  as  no  other  boat  would  be  sent  on  shore. 
The  boat  was  small  and  filled  by  the  persons  wishing  to  embark,  so 


10  BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 

that  the  five  trunks  were  necessarily  left  behind  on  the  ground  floor 
of  the  consular  building,  which  at  the  time  gave  but  little  concern 
to  my  brother,  inasmuch  as  he  depended  on  the  promise  of  Mr.  J. 
W.  Fabens,  quoted  already.  He  then  locked  up  the  houses  and  re- 
paired on  board  the  ship-of-war. 

Your  excellency  will  notice  by  the  subjoined  further  certificate  (No. 
3)  that  my  houses  had  suffered  but  trifling  damage  when  the  bom- 
bardment had  terminated,  almost  amounting  to  nothing.  Their 
peculiar  construction,  or  rather  the  position  of  the  several  tenements, 
was  adapted  to  a  place  in  which  there  were  no  associations  for  insur- 
ing against  fire,  and  thus  there  was  an  open  space  of  about  fifty  feet 
between  each  of  the  buildings  and  the  houses  adjoining  our  property. 

It  was  observed  from  on  board  the  Bermuda  that  the  door  of  the 
house  over  which  the  consular  flag  was  then  waving  was  beaten  in 
forcibly,  and  that  it  was  only  after  a  long  interval  that  the  party  who 
had  forced  an  entry  left  again,  whereupon  the  flames  burst  forth  and 
the  house  was  finally  consumed. 

In  the  letter  of  Mr.  J.  W.  Fabens  a  bombardment  of  the  place  was 
announced,  but  not  that  fire  would  be  set  to  the  houses.  I  must 
also  add  that  my  heavy  iron  chest  was  found  broken  after  the  fire — a 
chest  which  would  probably  have  resisted  the  fire  alone. 

The  English  man-of-war  Bermuda  weighed  her  anchor  on  the  ar- 
rival of  the  English  steamer  the  same  day  ;  she  was  taken  in  tow  by 
the  latter  ;  and  the  passengers,  including  my  family,  were  carried  to 
Corn  island.  It  was  no  subject  of  choice  to  them,  and  in  fact  nothing 
but  starvation  would  have  awaited  them  by  remaining  at  San  Juan 
after  its  destruction. 

The  actual  loss  of  my  house  under  the  firm  of  Wiedernann  and 
Bescher,  taking  the  original  invoice  cost  of  merchandise  with  charges 
thereon,  at  Greytown,  also  the  dwelling,  furniture,  &c.,  amount  to 
$35,140,  of  which  I  subjoin  also  a  specified  statement,  (No.  4.) 

My  business  has  suffered  from  this  occurrence  incalculable  injury. 
Obligations  of  outstanding  debts  which  were  in  my  possession  have 
been  destroyed,  my  credit  has  been  impaired,  and  I  may  be  ruined 
entirely  if  not  speedily  extricated  from  this  difficulty  by  opportune 
measures  of  relief. 

As  regards  the  claim  for  damages,  comprising  a  moderate  advance 
on  goods  based  on  the  usages  in  unhealthy  regions,  heavy  expenses  in 
consequence  of  the  destruction  of  Greytown,  clerk  hire,  lost  time,  in- 
terruption in  business,  I  will  leave  the  same  to  a  proper  consideration 
of  your  excellency. 

On  my  late  passage  through  San  Juan  del  Norte  I  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  making  the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Wheeler,  minister  of  the 
United  States  to  Central  America,  and  I  have  had  frequent  opportu- 
nities of  conversing  with  him  on  the  affairs  of  the  country.  I  am 
convinced  that  his  report  regarding  me  would  prove  favorable,  and 
corroborate  my  above  statements.  I  am  also  personally  known  to  Mr. 
J.  W.  Fabens,  United  States  commercial  agent,  and  to  Mr.  Scott,  and 
both  these  gentlemen,  when  asked,  will  not  hesitate  to  give  all  requi- 
site information  regarding  my  position  in  a  political  and  commercial 
point  of  view. 


BOMBARDMENT  OF  GREYTOWN.  11 

Finally,  I  beg  leave  to  add  the  humble  prayer  that  your  excellency 
may.,  in  consideration  of  the  incalculable  importance  to  me  in  my  bu- 
siness of  a  speedy  decision  in  this  matter,  be  pleased  to  give  it  your 
cordial  support.  For  your  expenses  you  may  refund  yourself  by 
drawing  on  my  correspondent,  Mr.  Fr.  Schwendler,  39  Beaver  street, 
New  York,  and  in  offering  you  in  advance  my  thanks  for  all  your 
good  offices. 

I  remain,  &c.,  &c. 

HENRI  WIEDEMANN. 
His  Excellency  MR.  R.  SCHLEIDEN, 

Minister  of  the  Free  and  Hanseatic  City  of 

Bremen,  in  Washington. 


[Translation  ] 

(Stamped  paper  of  the  third  class  for  the  years  1853  and  1854, 
worth  two  reales.) 

To  his  excellency  the  Minister  of  the  Republic  of  Nicaragua : 

The  undersigned,  merchants  of  this  city,  obliged  to  prove  that  they 
have  not  been  able  to  undertake  in  due  time  to  claim  the  value  of  their 
property  burned  at  San  Juan  delNorte,  in  July  last,  by  the  "  Cyane," 
a  man-of-war  of  the  republic  of  the  United  States  of  North  America, 
request  that  your  honor  may  be  pleased  to  certify  beneath  whether 
the  regular  mail  between  San  Juan  del  Norte  and  this  city  has  not 
been  interrupted  since  the  month  of  June  last,  in  consequence  of  the 
transit  road  having  been  in  the  power  of  the  revolutionary  forces  which 
tried  to  cut  off  all  communication  with  this  place. 

With  respectful  consideration  for  the  honorable  minister,  his  atten- 
tive and  faithful  servants. — G-od,  Union,  and  Liberty, 

WIEDEMANN  &  BESCHOR. 

GRANADA,  the  21th  of  December,  1854. 


By  supreme  order  I  certify,  in  solemn  form,  and  in  a  manner  which 
deserves  credit,  that  the  communications  from  San  Juan  del  Norte  to 
this  city  have  permanently  been  obstructed  from  the  month  of  June 
last,  inclusive,  to  the  16th  of  this  month,  in  consequence  of  the  inter- 
mediate points  having  been  occupied  by  revolutionary  forces. 

And  in  virtue  of  the  preceding  memorial  1  have  caused  this  certifi- 
cate to  be  drawn  up  and  signed  with  my  own  hand  in  Granada,  the 
27th  of  December,  1854. 

The  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  : 

NICACIO  DEL  CASTILLO. 


12  BOMBARDMENT  OF  GREYTOWN. 


[Translation.] 

GREYTOWN,  January  20,  1855. 

DEAR  SIR  :  In  order  to  complete  the  letter  I  wrote  to  your  excel- 
lency this  morning,  on  account  of  my  claims  to  receive  a  proper  in- 
demnification for  damages  sustained  by  the  bombardment  and  the 
entire  destruction  of  this  place,  I  take  the  liberty  to  add  the  fol- 
lowing : 

With  regard  to  Captain  Smith's  affair,  I  did  everything  in  my 
power  to  persuade  him  not  to  carry  out  his  design.  I  went  even  so 
far  as  twice  to  prevent  him  from  firing ;  the  third  time  he  exclaimed, 
"I  am  captain  of  this  boat,  and  I  will  not  permit  even  my  best  friend 
to  interfere."  After  having  committed  the  deed,  he  made  to  me  the 
following  remark :  "I  am  sorry  for  this,  but  I  could  not  help  it." 

On  the  day  following  this  occurrence,  and  in  consequence  of  the 
refusal  to  surrender  the  captain,  the   then  existing  government  of 
San  Juan  handed  in  their  resignation  of  authority  to  the  English 
consul,  and  was  thus  dissolved. 
Most  respectfully,  &c.,  &c. 

HENRI  WIEDEMANN, 
Consul  for  Hamburg  and  Bremen. 
His  Excellency  Mr.  R.  SCHLEIDEN, 

Minister  of  the  Free  and  Hanseatic  City  of 

Bremen  in  Washington. 


UNITED  STATES  COMMERCIAL  AGENCY, 

San  Juan  del  Norte,  July  12,  1854. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  have  to  inform  you  that  in  the  event  of  the  town  re- 
fusing or  neglecting  to  comply  with  the  demands  made  in  my  letter 
dated  yesterday,  llth  instant,  the  United  States  sloop-of-war  Cyane 
will  proceed  to  bombard  the  place  at  9  a.  m.  to-morrow,  13th  inst. 

Should  you  desire  to  proceed  yourself,  or  to  remove  any  valuable 
effects  from  the  place,  you  may  repair  with  your  property  on  board 
of  the  steam-scow  J.  N.  Scott. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

JOSEPH  W.  FABENS, 
United  States  Commercial  Agent. 
Mr.  WIEDEMANN, 

Hanseatic  Consul. 


[Translation.] 

NEW  YORK,  February  13,  1855. 

In  reply  to  your  excellency's  valuable  lines  of  llth  inst.,  I  beg 
leave  to  add : 

"That  I  am  prepared  to  swear  at  any  time  to  the  correctness  of  the 
statement  handed  to  you  of  my  losses  incurred  by  the  destruction  of 
Sun  Juan." 


BOMBARDMENT  OF  GREYTOWN.  13 

I  have  to  leave  this  city  within  an  hour  ;  your  excellency  will  there- 
fore pardon  the  shortness  of  this  communication. 
I  remain,  &c.,  &c. 

HENRI  WIEDEMANN, 
Consul  of  Hamburg  and  Bremen. 


GREYTOWN,  OR  SAN  JUAN  DEL  NORTE,  January  19,  1855. 

We,  the  undersigned,  residents  of  this  town,  by  the  request  of  Mr. 
Henry  Wiedemann,  Hanseatic  consul  here,  hereby  certify  that  the  consu- 
late house  of  Hamburg  and  Bremen  stood  separate  from  other  houses, 
and  that  during  the  bombardment  of  this  town  by  the  United  States 
sloop-of-war  "Cyane,"  commander  Hollins,  the  Hamburg  "flag"  was 
hoisted  on  said  house ;  and  further,  that  after  the  said  bombardment, 
little  or  no  damage  was  done  to  it  until  the  said  house  was  burned  by 
the  forces  from  on  board  the  above  mentioned  United  States  sloop-of- 
war  Cyane,  commander  Hollins,  the  said  flag  yet  flying  above  it. 

JAMES  GEDDES, 
J.  JEE.  VIZGUECY, 
T.  J.  MARTIN, 
SAMUEL  SHEPHERD, 
JEAN  MESNIER. 


Original  statement  of  losses  incurred  by  Messrs.  Wiedemann  & 
Beschor  by  the  bombardment  and  subsequent  destruction  by  fire 
of  the  city  of  Grey  town,  or  San  Juan  del  Norte,  by  the  United 
States  sloop-of-war  "Cyane,"  Commander  Hollins,  on  the  13th  of 
July  last,  as  follows : 

1.   One  wooden  frame  house,  consulate  office,  and  kitchen,  &c.  $2,000 

Fixtures  and  counters  in  the  above  house 8*70 

Furniture 750 

Clothing,  linen,  &c 1,265 

Silver  spoons,  knives,  plates,  &c 

Crockery,  &c,  pictures 800 

Cooking  and  kitchen  utensils 290 

Double  barreled  gun,  pistols,  revolver  and  its  appurtenances  245 

Books 180 

6,400 


2.  Merchandise  contained  in  the  above  and  two  other  stores: 
Planes,  iron  pots,  shot,  muskets,  guns,  pistols,  &c.,  and  tin- 
ware       $3,330 

Crockery  and  glassware , 1,090 

Silk  goods,  as  shawls,  mantillas,  handkerchiefs,  laces,  stock- 
ings, galloons,  cravats,  waistcoat  stuff,  sewing  silk,  &c  ...        6,635 


14  BOMBARDMENT  OF  GREYTOWN. 

Cloth,  doeskins,  cassimers,  and  casinets $2,800 

Cotton  stockings  and  half-hose 320 

Grey  domestics  and  twills,  white  shirtings,  &c 1,770 

Linen  sail-cloth 480 

Linen  drills 710 

Irish  and  German  fine  linen  and  cambric 1,630 

Keady-made  shirts 395 

Under  shirts,  drawers,  &c.,  cotton  and  woolen 525 

Table  cloths,  napkins,  &c.,  linen  and  cotton , 215 

English  prints,  ginghams,  &c 1,170 

Cotton  muslins,  jaconets,  &c 625 

Muslin  dresses 220 

Artistical  Parisian  flowers 215 

Embroidered  chemisetts  and  cotton  laces 320 

Men's  straw  and  felt  hats ,. 210 

Perfumeries 225 

Jewelry 420 

Gold  fringe 300 

Playthings  for  children 150 

Woolen  blankets  and  horse  coverings 455 

Cigars 510 

Olive  oil,  ebo  oil,  and  castor  oil 1,420 

Wines,  ale,  and  liquors 1,850 

Flour 150 

Sardines 300 

Working  utensils  and  empty  trunks 300 


35,140 

HENRI  WIEDEMANN7" 

[L.  s.]  Consul  for  the  Free  Towns  Hamburg  and  Bremen. 

Partner  of  the  firm  of 

WIEDEMANN  &  BESCHOR, 
[L.  s.]  Leipzig,  Greytown,  and  Granada. 

GREYTOWN,  January  1,  1855. 


BRITISH  CONSULATE,  GREYTOWN, 

January  19,  1855. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Henry  Wiedemann,  esq.,  consul  for  Ham- 
burg and  Bremen  at  this  place,  who  signs  the  foregoing  document  for 
the  house  of  Wiedemann  &  Beschor,  is  personally  known  to  me  ; 
that  he  is  a  partner  of  said  house,  doing  business  in  this  place  and  in 
the  interior. 

JAMES    GEDDES,  [L.  s.] 

H.  B.  M.  Vice  Consul. 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN.  15 

IV. — Statement  of  loss  of  property,  &c.,  sustained  by  Mr.  Frederick 
Liipking,  citizen  and  merchant  of  the  free  city  of  Bremen,  through 
the  bombardment  and  subsequent  firing  of  San  Juan  del  Norte,  or 
Greytown,  by  the  United  States  sloop-of-war  "Cyane,"  Commander 
Hollins,  on  the  13th  of  July,  1854;  such  property,  &c.,  being  in 
charge  of  us,  the  undersigned,  Wassrnann  &  Co.,  merchants,  of 
Granada,  and  through  us  in  that  of  our  agent,  Mr.  Augustus 
Knipping,  of  this  town. 

One  wooden  frame  house,  25  by  25  feet,  situated  on  the 
corner  of  Shepherd  and  Walker  streets,  with  counters, 
and  all  necessary  fixtures  for  a  shop,  &c.,  covered  with 

zinc;  out  houses  and  fences $2,500  00 

One  two-story  frame  house,   20  feet  by  25,  fronting  St. 

George's  square 2,500  00 

One  kitchen,  with  appurtenances 400  00 

Other  out-houses  on  same  lot 150  00 

One  wooden  store  house,  30  feet  by  80,  on  the  same  lot....      2,500  00 
Contained  in  said  storehouse  :  one  box  of  spangles,  as  per 

invoice  of  2d  May 338  OT 

Lost  profit,  at  least  25  per  cent 84  52 

Six  demijohns  spirits  of  turpentine,  at  $10 60  00 

One  demijohn  boiled  linseed  oil 10  00 

One   dozen   large    India    rubber   blankets,    for    covering 

goods,  at  $15 180  00 

Furniture,  comprising  several  valuable  pictures,  &c.3  con- 
tained in  house  No.  2  ..  500  00 


9,222  59 
Interests,  losses  of  rent  and  storage,  and  other  damages 

arisen  to  our  constituent  or  ourselves,  &c 3,000  000 


12,222  59 


The  above  we  declare  to  be  a  true  and  correct  statement  of  the 
losses  sustained  by  Mr.  Frederick  Liipking,  of  Bremen,  by  the  bom- 
bardment and  fire  of  Greytown,  or  San  Juan  del  Norte,  by  the  United 
States  sloop-of-war  "Cyane,"  Commander  Hollins,  on  the  13th  of 
July,  1854. 

WASSMANN  &  CO.   < 

DEL  NORTE,  OK  GREYTOWN, 

December  20,  1854. 


I,  the  undersigned,  Augustus  Knipping,  merchant  and  resident  of 
Greytown,  do  hereby  declare  that  the  said  houses,  stores,  merchan- 
dise, &c.,  Avere  destroyed  as  above  set  forth,  and  that  the  value  thereof 
is  correct ;  and  further,  that  the  said  houses,  stores,  merchandise, 


16  BOMBARDMENT  OF  GREYTOWN. 

&c.,  was  given  in  my  charge  by  Messrs.  Wassmann  &  Co.,  of  Gra- 
nada, for  whom  I  am  agent. 

AUG.  KNIPPING. 
GEBYTOWN,  OR  SAN  JUAN,  December  20,  1854. 


Know  all  men  by  this  instrument,  that  I,  C.  Ch.  Wassmann,  being 
partner  of  the  firm  of  Wassmann  &  Co.,  of  Granada,  for  and  in  be- 
half of  Mr.  Frederick  Ltipking,  of  Bremen,  have  this  day  entered  this 
my  public  protest  before  her  British  Majesty's  consul,  the  Hanseatic 
consul  being  absent,  against  the  act  of  Commander  Hollins,  of  the 
United  States  sloop-of-war  "  Cyane/'  on  the  13th  of  July  last  past, 
whereby  the  property  as  above  set  forth  was  destroyed;  and,  further- 
more, against  all  parties,  government  or  governments,  through  whose 
instrumentality  such  act  was  committed. 

C.  CH.  WASSMANN. 

SAN  JUAN  DEL  NORTE,  OR  GREYTOWN,  December  20,  1854. 


BRITISH  CONSULATE,  GREYTOWN. 

December  21,  1854. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Messrs.  C.  Ch.  Wassmann  and  Aug.  Knip- 
ping,  who  sign  the  foregoing  document,  are  personally  known  to  me ; 
that  they  are  persons  of  respectability,  and  worthy  of  credit. 

[SEAL.]  JAMES  GEDDES,  H.  B.  M.  Vice-Consul. 


Translation  of  Document  No.  IV. 

GRANADA,  April  17,  1855. 

We  received  through  Mr.  Augustus  Knipping  your  communication 
to  that  gentleman  of  the  8th  of  March,  and  shall  proceed  now  to  an- 
swer the  same  as  fully  as  possible. 

Mr.  F.  Ltipking  has  never  been  personally  at  Greytown,  but  the 
writer,  C.  Ch.  Wassmann,  arrived  therein  February,  1851.     In  June  ; 
of  that  year  he  received  on  consignment  a  cargo  of  merchandise  for 
account  of  Mr.  F.  Lupking,  of  Bremen.     This  cargo  included  the  J 
dwelling-house  No.  1,  which  was  erected  in  Greytown  on  a  leased  lot, 
together  with  the  out-houses  appertaining  thereto,  and  for  account  of 
Mr.  F.  Lupking.     Since  the  beginning  of  1852    the  firm  has  been   j 
Wassmann  &  Co.     In  February,  1852,  we  received  a  second  cargo  of  j 
merchandise  from  Mr.  F.  Lupking,  the  larger  portion  for  account  of  ; 
the  firm.     This  cargo  included  the  dwelling  house  No.  2  and  a  large    ; 
warehouse,    which  were  likewise  erected  at  Greytown,  it  is  true,  for 
the  use  of  the  firm,  but,  de  facto,  as  property  of  Mr.  F.  Lupking,  of  ' 
Bremen,  who  had  furnished  the  requisite  capital.    The  trifling  objects   < 
which  were  burnt,  besides  the  houses,  were  partly  merchandise  con-  J 


BOMBARDMENT   OF   GREYTOWN.  17 

signed  to  us  by  Mr.  Liipking,  partly  goods  ordered  by  us  but  paid  for 
by  Mr.  Liipking.  Inasmuch  as,  since  September,  1853,  we  have  had 
no  longer  a  branch  established  at  Grey  town,  but  had  appointed  an 
agent  there  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Augustus  Knipping,  it  was  Mr.  F. 
Liipking' s  and  our  own  desire  that  our  claims  should  be  made  direct 
from  Bremen,  because  the  communication  between  this  place  of  Gran- 
ada and  the  United  States  has  been  almost  entirely  cut  off,  particu- 
larly last  year.  During  a  considerable  period  it  has  even  been  im- 
possible for  us  to  visit  Grey  town,  and  it  was  only  on  the  20th  of 
December  that  we  were  enabled  to  transmit  to  Mr.  F.  Liipking  the 
document  in  question. 

From  this  statement  you  will  already  have  inferred  that  Mr.  Liip- 
king was  not  in  a  situation  to  take  a  personal  part  in  the  unfortunate 
political  affairs  of  Grey  town  if  he  had  even  been  so  inclined.  But, 
far  from  entertaining  such  a  disposition,  he  has  frequently  expressed 
himself  to  the  contrary,,  and  he  has  especially  cautioned  his  partner 
in  charge  of  the  branch  house  at  Greytown  always  to  keep  clear 
of  such  business  and  to  avoid  it.  You  may  also  well  suppose  that 
we  had  no  leisure  time  to  attend  simultaneously  to  our  business  and 
to  take  part  in  the  foolish  political  disputes  between  the  Nicaragua 
Company  and  a  petty  municipal  government  of  an  insignificant 
place  like  Greytown.  Nor  has  any  one  of  the  partners  in  our  house 
ever  been  willing  to  accept  an  office  under  said  government,  though 
repeatedly  offered,  and  they  have  always  abstained  from  participating 
in  any  manner  in  affairs  not  their  own.  Here  we  must  also  remark 
that  if  the  said  company  had  undertaken  to  avenge  itself  for  imaginary 
insults  received  at  the  hands  of  the  city  government,  or  from  other 
causes,  and  if  it  had  proceeded  to  execute  its  threats  repeatedly  made 
to  burn  the  houses  over  our  heads,  we  should  have  been  the  first  to 
defend  Mr.  Liipking's  and  our  own  property  and  interest,  even  by 
force  of  arms.  Lastly,  Mr.  Aug.  Knipping  has  once,  for  the  term  of 
one  year,  from  the  1st  of  May,  1853,  to  the  1st  of  May,  1854,  been 
treasurer  of  the  municipality  ;  but  further  than  that,  to  the  best  of 
Our  knowledge,  he  has  not  meddled  in  politics.  None  of  our  firm  at 
Granada,  which  place  was  then  invested  and  surrounded  by  a  hostile 
force,  was  in  Greytown  at  the  time  of  the  bombardment  and  subse- 
quent burning  of  that  city.  Our  agent,  however,  Mr.  Aug.  Knip- 
ping, was  there,  and  we  requested  him  to  inform  you  why  it  had  not 
been  possible  to  save  the  houses  or  the  goods  contained  therein.  The 
matter  appears  perfectly  clear  to  us. 

The  inhabitants  of  Greytown  received  notice  the  evening  before,  that 
unless  a  certain  amount  of  money  was  paid,  the  city  would  be  bom- 
barded the  following  morning  at  9  o'clock.  Without  venturing  an 
opinion  regarding  the  merits  of  this  demand,  we  cannot  omit  saying 
that  there  was  scarcely  time  for  securing  the  most  important  papers 
and  other  valuables;  moreover,  none  of  the  inhabitants  supposed  that 
there  would  be  anything  beyond  a  regular  bombardment,  and  all 
believed  that  at  its  termination  possession  of  their  houses  could  again 
be  taken,  though  they  might  be  found  in  a  damaged  state.  They 
knew  the  difficulty  of  setting  on  fire  by  projectiles  the  houses  of  Grey- 
town,  all  standing  apart  from  each  other.  Mr.  Knipping,  who  witnessed 
Ex.  Doc.  10 2 


18  BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 

the  whole  affair  from  on  board  the  English  man-of-war,  can  tell  you 
more  ahout  it.  No  doubt  Mr.  Liipking's  houses  were  not  set  on  fire 
by  the  bombardment,  because  the  dwelling  No.  1,  and  warehouse, 
were  standing  isolated,  and  dwelling  No.  2  was  covered  with  a  zinc 
roof.  It  would,  therefore,  be  inferred  already  almost  to  a  certainty, 
even  if  we  had  not  learnt  it  from  eye-witnesses,  that  Mr.  Liipking's 
houses  were  burnt  down  by  the  marines  sent  on  shore  by  Commander 
Hollins. 

Dwelling  No.  1  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Aug.  Knipping,  who  made 
use  also  of  the  warehouse  for  us  and  for  himself.  The  latter  was 
mainly  used  for  storing  hides  and  other  produce  ;  also  for  imported 
goods.  At  present,  after  the  re-opening  of  the  channels  of  communi- 
cation, it  will  cost  us  a  large  sum  of  money  to  find  storage  at  Greytown 
for  our  accumulated  stock  of  produce,  and  it  is  even  doubtful  whether 
the  necessary  accommodation  can  be  obtained.  These  are  all  conse- 
quences of  the  unfortunate  occurrence  at  San  Juan,  which  have  fallen 
heavily  on  us,  though  we  are  innocent  parties. 

Dwelling  No.  2  was  inhabited  up  to  the  last  moment  by  a  French- 
man, who  used  part  as  a  store.  We  have  forgotten  the  man's  name, 
but  Mr.  Knipping  will  communicate  it  to  you. 

(NOTE. — His  name  is  L.  Perrin.) 

We  had  a  report  here  about  the  middle  of  August  that  Greytown 
had  been  bombarded,  but  we  did  not  give  it  credit,  and  it  was  only 
in  October  following,  when  we  had  occasion  to  visit  Greytown,  that 
we  became  cognizant  of  the  truth  of  the  matter.  Mr.  F.  Liipking 
must  have  received  the  first  tidings  through  the  New  York  papers,  all 
those  letters  from  him  reached  us  only  when  we  were  at  San  Juan. 
At  that  time,  in  October,  we  were  in  want  of  some  papers  requisite 
for  this  statement,  and  we  had  to  return  into  the  interior  in  order  to 
procure  the  same,  so  that  we  were  only  enabled,  on  the  20th  of  De- 
cember, to  send  the  document  in  question  to  Mr.  F.  Liipking,  at  Bre- 
men. 

We  are  prepared  and  willing  to  make  oath  to  the  correctness  of  our 
statement  dated  December  20th,  that  the  houses  and  merchandise 
enumerated  in  the  same  were  worth  to  Mr.  F.  Liipking  and  to  us  the 
amounts  stated,  and  further,  that  at  the  time  when  wanted  by  us  they 
could  not  have  been  replaced  at  the  prices  they  were  valued. 

Mr.  Wheeler  has  been  here  for  some  time,  and  will  make  this  his 
place  of  residence.  We  have  had  several  interviews  with  him  on  the 
subject  of  our  claims,  and  we  may  flatter  ourselves  that  when  asked 
he  will  report  nothing  to  our  prejudice  in  this  business. 

We  request  Mr.  Aug.  Knipping  to  give  you  information  from  Grey- 
town  on  any  points  not  fully  explained  by  us. 
Very  respectfullv,  &c.,  &c., 

WASSMANN  &  CO. 

Honorable  K.  SCHLEIDEN, 

Minister  Resident  of  the  Hanseatic  City  of  Bremen, 

near  the  Government  of  the  United  States  of  N.  America. 


BOMBARDMENT    OF   GREYTOWN.  19 

VI>  GKEYTOWN,  OR  SAN  JUAN  DE  NICARAGUA, 

May  21,  1855. 

feiR :  Messrs.  Wassmann  and  Co.  inform  me,  by  their  letter  of  1st 
May  from  Granada,  that,  in  answer  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  8th 
March,  they  have  given  you  all  the  information  in  their  power  con- 
cerning the  losses  they,  or  Mr.  Ltipking,  of  Bremen,  have  sustained 
by  the  bombardment  and  subsequent  fire  of  this  place  by  the  United 
btates  sloop-of-war  Cyane,  Captain  Hollins,  and  request  me  to  com- 
plete their  report  by  adding  those  points  which  I,  as  their  ao-ent  and 
an  eye-witness  of  the  whole  catastrophe,  am  in  an  apter  position  to 
therefore  have  the  honor  to  state  the  folio wino-  • 

I.I  have  never  taken  any  active  part  in  the  political  affairs  of 
Greytown,  for  though,  in  1853,  I  was  elected  by  the  people  of  this 
town  treasurer  and  public  administrator,  and  served  as  such  from  1st 
May  1853,  to  the  end  of  March,  1854,  when  I  resigned.  This  is 
hardly  taking  an  active  part  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  place 

2.  None  of  the  partners  of  Messrs.  Wassmann  &  Co.  were,  at  the 
time  of  the  bombardment,  in  Greytown,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  the  first  information  they  had  of  it  they  received  from  my  letter 
to  them  of  4th  August. 

3.  As  the  time  between  the  publication  of  Captain  Holiins'  procla- 
mation, which  was  the  first  intimation  we  had  of  the  bombardment 

the  time  the  bombardment  began,  was  a  very  short  one,  from 
our  o  clock  in  the  afternoon  to  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  next  it 
was  impossible  to  save  property  to  any  extent,  more,  as  at  that 
moment  no  labor  was  to  be  hired.  The  only  persons  that  saved  any- 
thing were  the  American  consul  and  some  of  his  favorites,  who  had 
all  their  property  removed  by  the  troops  of  the  Cyane.  Of  savino- 
the  houses  there  was  no  possibility,  for  the  soldiers  that  set  fire  to 
them  stood  guard  while  they  were  burning,  and  threatened,  with 
their  loaded  muskets  in  hand,  anybody  that  drew  near.  They  are 
even  said  to  have  fired  on  different  individuals  who  tried  to  approach 
their  burning  dwellings. 

4.  Neither  Messrs.  Wassman  &  Co.,  say  Mr.  Lupking's  houses,  nor 
any  others  in  town  were  fired  by  bombs  or  other  missiles  from  on 
board  the  Cyane.     Every  house  that  was  burned  was  deliberately  set 
lire  to  by  the  marines  that  were  landed  more  than  an  hour  after  the 
bombardment  had  finished.     From  on  board  her  British  Majesty's 
brig  of  war  Bermuda,  where  I  had  taken  refuge,  we  had  a  fair  sight 
of  almost  every  house  in  town,  and  in  all  the  time  which  elapsed 
between  the  end  of  the  bombardment  and  the  landing  of  the  marines, 
not  a  single  vestige  of  smoke  or  fire  was  to  be  seen.    It  was  only  after 
the  marines  were  landed  the  fire  broke  out,  and  then  it  spread  quick 
enough.     The  greater  part  of  the  houses  were  standing  isolated  one 
from  another  ;    so  were  Mr.  Lupking's  principal   buildings  distant 
Irom  all  other  houses,  and  they  could  never  have  taken  fire  from  the 
others  ;  but  it  was  distinctly  observed  how  the  marines  broke  open 
door  after  door,  and  entered  house  after  house  to  set  them  on  fire. 
One  of  my  storehouses  I  observed  was  entered  three  times  and  set  fire 
to  before  it  finally  became  a  prey  to  the  flames. 


20  BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN. 

I  hope  the  above  may  be  sufficient  for  your  ends  ;  if  not,  and  I  can 
give  you  any  more  information  in  my  power,  I  beg  you  will  command, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

AUG.  KNIPPING. 
R.  SCHLEIDEN,  Esq., 

Minister  Resident  of  the  Free  and  Hanseatic  city  of  Bremen. 


Mr.  Marcy  to  Mr.  Schleiden. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 
Washington,  November  19,  1855. 

The  undersigned,  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States,  has  the 
honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  note  which  the  minister  resi- 
dent of  the  Free  Hanseatic  city  of  Bremen  addressed  to  him  on  the  6th 
instant,  submitting  the  claims  of  persons  claiming  to  be  citizens  of 
Bremen,  together  with  the  documents  in  favor  of  the  claims,  for  losses 
incurred  in  the  destruction  of  Greytown  by  Commander  Hollins,  of 
the  United  States  ship  Cyane,  in  July  of  last  year,  and  expressing  the 
hope  that  if  the  government  of  the  United  States  should  hesitate  to 
recognize  the  justice  of  these  reclamations,  it  will  agree  to  refer  them 
to  arbitration,  or  to  a  commission. 

The  undersigned,  in  reply,  has  the  honor  to  inform  Mr.  Schleiden 
that  the  subject  of  his  note  has  been  taken  into  respectful  considera- 
tion. 

The  undersigned  avails  himself  of  the  occasion  to  offer  to  Mr. 
Schleiden  a  renewed  assurance  of  his  high  consideration. 

W.  L.  MARCY. 

RUDOLPH  SCHLEIDEN,  Esq.,  &c. 


Mr.  Schleiden  to  Mr.  Marcy. 

BREMEN  LEGATION, 
Washington  D.  C.,  November  23,  1855. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note  of 
the  19th  instant,  informing  me  that  my  note  of  the  6th  instant  in  re- 
gard to  the  claims  of  Mr.  F  Ltipking,  of  Bremen,  and  of  Mr.  Henry 
Wiedemann,  consul  of  the  Free  Hanse  Towns  at  San  Juan  del  Norte,  or 
Greytown,  who  have  been  suiferers  by  the  destruction  of  that  city, 
has  been  taken  into  consideration. 

This  early  investigation  of  the  subject  is  a  source  of  sincere  satisfac- 
tion to  me,  as  it  gives  me  the  assurance  that  a  decision,  and  I  trust  a 
favorable  one,  may  be  expected  at  no  distant  period. 

In  order  to  meet  any  question  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  said  claim- 
ants making  application  for  my  intercession,  and  of  my  obligation,  as 
well  as  of  my  right  and  authority  to  give  them  my  official  support,  I 
shall  cause  the  transmission  of  proper  certificates  proving  Mr.  Ltip- 

\ 


BOMBARDMENT    OF    GREYTOWN.  21 

king's  citizenship,  and  that  Mr.  Wiedemann  was  and  is  charged  with 
the  consulates  of  Bremen  and  Hamburg  at  San  Juan  del  Norte. 

Meanwhile  I  beg  leave  to  enclose  the  accompanying  report  of  Mr. 
GeorgeWiedemann,  acting  consul  of  the  Free  HanseTowns  at  San  Juan, 
at  the  time  of  the  destruction  of  that  city,  together  with  a  certificate 
given  on  the  23d  ultimo  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Fabens,  late  United  States 
commercial  agent  of  that  place.  These  documents,  which  come  now 
to  hand,  will  furnish  further  proof  of  the  correctness  of  the  statements 
made  in  my  said  note  of  the  sixth  instant,  that  the  claimants  were  in 
no  way  compromised  with  the  people  of  Greytown;  that  Mr.  Fabens 
had,  on  the  day  preceding  the  bombardment,  given  an  unequivocal 
assurance  to  Mr.  Weidemann  that  the  Hanseatic  consulate  should  be 
preserved  if  it  could  be  done;  but  that  notwithstanding  this  assurance 
the  house  and  property  of  the  Hanseatic  consul,  over  which  the  con- 
sulate flag  was  displayed,  were  set  on  fire  and  burned  down  by  the 
marines  who  were  sent  on  shore  from  the  United  States  sloop-of-war 
"  Cyane"  after  the  bombardment  had  proved  ineffectual. 

Without  entering  into  further  explanations  as  to  the  merits  of  the 
claims  in  question,  I  have  only  to  request  you  to  take  also  the  accompa- 
nying documents  into  favorable  consideration;  and  I  avail  myself  of 
this  occasion  to  renew  to  you  the  assurance  of  my  highest  regard. 

R.  SCHLETDEN. 

Hon.  WM.  L.  MARCY, 

Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


REPUBLIC  OF  NICARAGUA, 

Granada,  October  23,  1855. 

I,  Joseph  W.  Fabens,  late  commercial  agent  of  the  United  States 
at  San  Juan  del  Norte,  hereby  certify  that  on  the  12th  of  July,  1854, 
the  day  preceding  the  bombardment  of  Greytown,  I  wrote  a  note  to 
Mr.  Wiedemann,  informing  him  of  Captain  Hollins'  intentions.  Mr. 
Wiedmann  called  upon  me,  and  stated  that  he  was  in  no  way  compro- 
mised with  the  people  of  Greytown  ;  that  he  was  consul  for  the  Han- 
seatic Towns,  and  that  his  house  and  property  should  be  spared.  I 
replied  that  I  would  use  my  influence  with  Captain  Hollins,  and  have 
his  effects  spared,  if  it  could  be  done,  as  I  was  satisfied  of  the  truth 
of  his  statement. 

J.  W.  FABENS. 


[Translation  ] 

GRANADA,  October  24,  1855. 

Your  excellency  will  please  favorably  to  receive  the  following  report 
in  regard  to  the  circumstances  attending  the  bombardment  and  total 
destruction  of  San  Juan  del  Norte,  or  Greytown,  on  July  13,  1854, 
of  all  of  which  the  undersigned  was  an  eye-witness,  and  now  will 
give  an  account  in  strict  accordance  with  the  truth. 

On  the  12th  of  July  I  received  the  letter  handed  to  your  excellency 


22  BOMBARDMENT  OF  GREYTOWN. 

in  person  by  my  brother,  Consul  Henry  Wiedemann,  in  which  the 
United  States  commercial  agent,  Mr.  J.  W.  Fabens,  informs  me  of 
the  bombardment  resolved  upon  for  the  following  day. 

I  called  instantly  on  Mr.  Fabens,  for  the  purpose  of  coming  to  an 
understanding  with  him  in  regard  to  the  protection  of  those  parties 
who  had  not  been  concerned,  and  always  remained  neutral,  in  the  fre- 
quent former  disputes,  and  to  express,  at  the  same  time,  the  expecta- 
tion that  we,  who  had  never  been  compromised  in  any  way,  would  be 
spared,  and  that  I,  in  my  quality  of  acting  consul  during  the  absence 
of  my  brother,  as  well  as  the  consular  flag,  would  be  respected. 

In  the  evening  of  the  12th  of  July  Captain  Jolly,  commander  of 
the  British  schoonei -of-war  "Bermuda,"  promised  me  to  send  the 
next  day  his  boat  on  shore,  which  was  done.  The  danger  was  immi- 
nent. The  boat,  however,  proved  too  small,  and  I  was,  therefore, 
only  able  to  take  a  small  trunk  along  with  me  on  board  the  "  Ber- 
muda," and  had  to  leave  behind  my  valuable  papers,  trunks,  gold 
and  silver  plate,  which  I  had  already  packed  up. 

Thus  I  left  the  town,  after  having  well  locked  up  the  houses  of  the 
firm  of  Wiedemann  &  Beschor,  and  of  the  late  consul,  Andre  Louis 
Beschor,  partner  of  the  firm  of  Andre  Louis  Beschor  &  Co.,  and  after 
having  hoisted  the  large  Hanseatic  flag,  confiding  in  the  verbal  assu- 
rance of  Mr.  J.  W.  Fabens  that  all  our  property  should  be  spared  if 
it  were  possible.  Some  officers  of  the  United  States  sloop  "  Cyane/' 
to  whom  Mr.  Fabens  had  introduced  me,  were  of  the  same  mind. 
But  the  assurances  were  not  realized;  for  scarcely  had  the  bombard- 
ment ceased,  when  a  party  of  marines  of  the  "  Cyane"  went  on  shore 
and  set  fire  to  our  houses,  as  well  as  to  the  others,  without  any  dis- 
crimination. 

At  my  request  Mr.  Fabens,  who  is  now  here,  has  given  me  the  en- 
closed statement. 

Your  excellency  is  fully  acquainted  with  everything  else  which 
has  happened  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  and  anything  more  I  could 
say  would  only  be  an  addition  of  sad  details.  I,  as  well  as  my  bro- 
ther, am  ready  to  make  oath,  whenever  required,  to  the  truth  of  the 
statements  here  made. 

With  respectful  consideration,  I  remain  your  excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant, 

T.  G.  WIEDEMANN. 

Mr.  R.  SCHLEIDEN, 

Minister  Eesident  of  the 

Free  Hanseatic  city  of  Bremen,  Washington. 


Mr.  Marcy  to  Mr.  Schleiden. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 
Washington j  November  24,  1855. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note  of 
yesterday,  and  to  inform  you,  in  reply,  that  the  papers  accompanying 
it,  relating  to  claims  of  Bremen  citizens,  which  were  the  subject  of 


